Google is bringing some changes to its Developer Program Policy which will restrict the utilization of high-risk or sensitive permissions, including the access to the list of apps installed on an Android device, by any app. In simpler words, no app is going to be allowed to access the installed app inventory on an Android device until it’s necessary for it to undertake its core user-facing functionality. Google says that if a developer’s app doesn’t meet the wants for acceptable use, they need to remove it from the app’s manifest to suits the new policy.
Google Will Not Allow Apps to Access Installed App Inventory on Android
As per a post by Google on its Play Console Help support page, the changes within the Developer Program Policy will inherit effect on May 5. the corporate says that this is often done because Google Play regards “the device inventory of installed apps queried from a user’s device as personal and sensitive information.”
This can be seen as another step towards strengthening measures for user privacy. for instance, this mandatory change will make it harder for apps to spy on what apps are installed on your phone. The access to app inventory in an Android device is often used for targeted advertisements or for malicious purposes.
As mentioned, if a developer’s app doesn’t meet the wants for acceptable use of app inventory, they need to remove it from the app’s manifest. just in case the app meets the policy requirements for acceptable use of the app inventory, they’re required to declare the high-risk permissions using the Declaration Form within the Play Console.
If apps fail to satisfy policy requirements or developers don’t submit a Declaration Form, the app could also be faraway from Google Play. The declaration must be revised and updated with accurate information just in case there are changes so as to suits the policy changes. It should be noted that inventory access permission only takes effect when an app targets Android API level 30 or afterward devices running Android 11 or later.
